How Do We Save the World?
No matter where people fall on the political spectrum, it seems they can agree on at least one thing: The world is in peril. On the heels of this troubling statement comes a question just as unsettling: What can one person do about it? We may be careening toward World War III, or depending on whom you ask—we may already be in it. Just wishing them away won’t solve these problems. Well, maybe not. But there is some scientific evidence suggesting that positive intentions can have subtle effects on physical reality.
Studies on the placebo effect show that positive expectations can influence physical health outcomes. Additionally, some experiments in quantum physics suggest that the observer effect can alter the behavior of particles, hinting at a potential link between consciousness and physical reality. Many of the world’s religions practice prayers or meditations that are designed to positively affect the whole world.
Buddhists have been using the Metta Bhavana or Loving-Kindness Meditation for over 2.500 years. It involves sending loving-kindness to yourself and then gradually extending it in a widening circle to include others, and eventually the whole world.
Many religions have similar prayers or practices. In Christianity, there’s the Prayer of St. Francis, asking to be an instrument of peace and love in the world. In Islam, there’s the concept of making Du’a, which includes prayers for peace and well-being for oneself and others. In Judaism, there’s the practice of saying Shalom, wishing peace and wholeness. And in Hinduism, the practice of chanting Shanti, which means peace, is similar. Each tradition has its unique way of extending universal love, compassion, and peace to the world—but is there anything that connects these practices to science?
Scientific research on positive thinking and the brain shows that positive thoughts can activate brain regions associated with reward and motivation, like the prefrontal cortex. Positive thinking can also lead to the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which enhance feelings of well-being. Additionally, practices like mindfulness and gratitude, which foster positive thoughts, have been shown to improve mental health and even physical health.
A well-known study by Dr. Richard J. Davidson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that positive emotions can activate brain regions associated with well-being. Another study from UCLA showed that practicing mindfulness can increase levels of dopamine. There’s also research by Dr. Barbara Fredrickson on the “broaden-and-build” theory, which suggests that positive emotions can expand our cognitive flexibility and build personal resources. These studies highlight the link between positive thoughts and brain chemistry.
The “Maharishi Effect” is a concept that was popularized in the 1970s and 1980s, due to some large-scale studies on the effects of meditation. Large groups practicing Transcendental Meditation were reported to reduce crime rates and improve social harmony in surrounding areas. The idea is that the collective consciousness created by meditating individuals can influence the broader environment. While these claims are controversial and debated in the scientific community, they highlight an interesting intersection of consciousness and societal well-being.
Various cultures around the world have traditions of group meditation. In India, large events like the International Day of Yoga can see tens of thousands of participants. In Japan, Zen meditation groups may range from small gatherings to several hundred people. In Thailand, during significant religious ceremonies, thousands might gather at temples for meditation. In Western countries, group meditation events can vary widely, with some gatherings attracting hundreds to thousands of participants, especially during global peace initiatives.
In Paul Levy’s book The Quantum Revelation: A Radical Synthesis of Science and Spirituality, he explores the idea of quantum activism. Quantum activism suggests that consciousness and intentionality can influence the world. This is based on the aforementioned observer effect in quantum science which refers to the phenomenon where the act of observation alters the behavior of particles. This has been demonstrated in experiments like the double-slit experiment, where particles behave differently when observed. Some interpret this as suggesting that consciousness or intention can influence physical reality. While this remains a topic of debate and interpretation, it suggests a potential link between consciousness and the physical world, echoing ideas in quantum activism.
We tend to throw these ideas in the “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” category. For example, what happens if we do a version of a loving-kindness meditation—sending love and peace to ourselves, then our families, and gradually widening the circle of intention to include the whole world. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Well, science tells us these 5-10 minutes are hardly a waste of time. We will be bathing our brains in feel-good chemicals. That’s good for us, that’s good for our families, in fact it’s good for everyone that we interact with on any given day. That’s pretty powerful. It seems we would be doing a lot to improve the world, at least the small world that we interact with on a daily basis. Well, if everyone did this, these circles would start interconnecting, and their power would grow exponentially. Not such a bad result.
So, when the world’s problems seem too big, and it seems like you can’t do anything to make the world a better place, maybe you’re wrong. Maybe setting an intention of love and peace and spreading it out to the world actually might just save the world.
What’s the worst thing that can happen?
Until next time,
Scott and Lennart